Recently, I ran across a "scrapbook" my great-aunt Miss Dora Brydon
had put together of newspaper clippings, during approx. years 1910 and late 1930s.
She was born and lived most of her life in Mt. Vernon. She never married
and was a registered nurse and heavily involved in the Business and Professional
Women's organization for many years.
She died in the late '60s and was in her 80s at her death.
From a newspaper clipping (probably a Mt. Vernon, IL newspaper published last week
of Oct. 1961 or 1962) found among memorabilia at home of Millard Reuss (my father)
Jo House
A HALF CENTURY OF SERVICE
(Caption below picture)
"Miss Dora Brydon, well known Mt. Vernon registered nurse,
is shown receiving a corsage from Geneva Newman in recognition of fifty years in
the nursing profession. The corsage of beautiful rose buds was the gift of the
Mt. Vernon Graduate Nurses Club - of which she is a charter member. Miss Brydon
was guest of honor at a dinner given by the Mt. Vernon Graduate Nurses' Club last
evening at the L. and N. cafe."
She graduated from the Eileen Osborn Training School at St. Louis in 1911 and
returned to this city to serve as a private duty nurse. Then, on November 11, 1913,
she became superintendent of nurses at the Bridget Hughes Hospital at Nashville, Ill.,
and remained there until the United States entered the first World War. At that time,
she was the first Mt. Vernon nurse to volunteer for service in the war and, in November
of 1918, she was sent to a hospital at Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia.
At the close of World War One, Miss Brydon returned to Mt. Vernon and resumed her
work as a private duty nurse. In 1926, she became nurse in the Mt. Vernon elementary
schools and remained in this position until 1941. Miss Brydon has worked at Good
Samaritan Hospital and was the supervisor of the nurses there from 1943 until 1945.
In 1947, at the time of the opening of Jefferson Memorial Hospital, she joined the staff
there and remains with that organization today.
She has been active in nursing and civic organizations - including membership in the
Illinois Nurses' Association, almost from its beginning. She has served as treasurer
of the 14th District for many years and is a charter member of the Graduate Nurses'
Club of Mt. Vernon - and she is a charter member of the Business and Professional
Women's Club. In 1955, she was voted "Woman of The Year" by the B.P.W.
Miss Brydon is also a Past Noble Grand of Varnell Rebekah Lodge.
Thursday evening in further recognition of her fifty years in the nursing profession,
the table was decorated with a beautiful arrangement of gold mums - the gift of Dr. and
Mrs. C. K. Wells.

Dora Brydon
February 2, 1881 - August 16, 1970

Young Dora Brydon (standing) with half-sister Jessie Brydon,grandmother of Jo House(contributor of scrapbook)

Dora Brydon in nursing outfit
Dora Brydon was first Mt. Vernon nurse to volunteer
for service during WWI and was stationed at
Ft. Oglethorpe, GA in 1918.

Dora Brydon (on bumper) enjoying life

Dora Brydon in 1965,two years before she retired from nursingat the age of 87